’News’ category

J. Ralph writes and produces the music for Chasing Ice including the Oscar nominated song “Before My Time” performed by Scarlett Johansson & Joshua Bell and recorded at The Rumor Mill’s studio in NYC. In the history of the Academy Awards only 3 songs have been nominated from a documentary. Tune-in on february 24th to watch the big show! Listen Here: title=”before my time” target=”_blank”>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qB4UEQzUmWc

Directed by Academy Award winning filmmaker Amir Bar-Lev, The Rumor Mill was tasked with providing a cinematic score to accompany the documentary-esque trailer. the spot immediately grabbed the No. 1 position on creativity’s Top 20.

The Rumor Mill scores this years Oscar nominated film HELL AND BACK AGAIN which follows their back to back Oscar winning films THE COVE and MAN ON WIRE. In addition to the score for HELL AND BACK AGAIN J. Ralph also wrote and produced the end-title song performed by Willie Nelson as well as the films elaborate sound design and mix. Check out the NPR feature re: the sound design process with Director Danfung Dennis and Oscar winning sound designer Gary Rydestrom.

Noted for its dazzling cinematography, this is the visually majestic answer to “An Inconvenient Truth” - The Wall Street Journal

The Sundance Film Festival’s best kept secret are its documentaries. While dramatic films and celebrity casts draw the headlines and paparazzi, the Park City event has become the preeminent launchpad for the best nonfiction films in the U.S. Some of the most successful documentaries of all time ­ ”March of the Penguins,” “An Inconvenient Truth,” “Super Size Me,” “Hoop Dreams” ­ first premiered at Sundance, while recent Oscar winners “No End In Sight” and “Man on Wire” also launched in Park City. Here are 10 documentaries to watch for from this year’s lineup.

“Chasing Ice” ­ Noted for its dazzling cinematography, this is the visually majestic answer to “An Inconvenient Truth”: the film focuses on the issue of climate change through time-lapse footage captured by photographer James Balog, whose Extreme Ice Survey is presenting evidence of melting glaciers around the world.

The world premiere of Chasing Ice is set for the 2012 Sundance film festival. The music was written and produced by J. Ralph at The Rumor Mill including an original end title song “Before My Time” performed by Scarlett Johansson. The film follows National Geographic photographer James Balog as he uncovers for the first time ever, astounding visual evidence of the worlds melting glaciers happening at an alarming rate. Through the use of revolutionary time lapse equipment utilizing 30 cameras set up on 3 continents, the landmark film was shot over three years. The resulting footage is earth shattering and astounding. Learn more about the amazing film here: http://www.chasingice.com/

In honor of the award-winning documentary, Hell and Back Again, J. Ralph penned an elegantly emotional tune sung by none other than the legendary Willie Nelson. The song is appropriately titled “Hell and Back”, and Nelson’s unmistakable lilting croon carries it with raw passion and power. Accompanying Nelson, Ralph lays down a subdued yet sharp acoustic guitar melody that supports his visceral visuals. The song is utterly undeniable and unforgettable, and it’s a real triumph for J. Ralph.

You can hear the tune closing out the Sundance Grand Jury Prize-winning documentary directed by Danfung Dennis or you can purchase it on iTunes right now. The film opens up on October 5 in New York at Film Forum and October 14 in Los Angeles at Laemmle Monica by Docurama Films.

The documentary follows 25-year-old Marine Sgt. Nathan Harris on his most difficult mission: coming home after being seriously wounded in Afghanistan. Intimately contrasting the intensity of the frontline with one soldier’s harsh acclimation to physical disability, family, and the normalcy of home, Hell and Back Again lays bare the true cost of war, as does the song.